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The Corruption Of Power In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Power in Macbeth Power is not something that is simply obtained. It is something that is taken, something that is seized. At times it is something that is taken for the use of good. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr. took his chance of power when taking on a leadership role in leading the Civil Rights Movement. Other times it is used for evil. An example would be when Hitler rose to and seized power, and how his corrupt nature led the slaughter of many Jews in Europe. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth identifies the role that power plays in the lives of people. Power can be a dangerous commodity when used incorrectly can create a variation of complications. Macbeth is an exemplification of power being used for evil and how power can corrupt. Power has the …show more content…

Macbeth was once a true, and faithful servant to his ruler, King Duncan. The king would sing Macbeth’s praises for all of the wondrous deeds committed by Macbeth. Prior to Macbeth’s hunger for power, he was a man of wise discernment and reasoning. His intentions were pure and noble. In Act I, Lady Macbeth and the three witches convince Macbeth to kill King Duncan. Motivated by his honor and his conscience, he momentarily decides against it. “We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss…” (Shakespeare 1.7.32-34). The business refers to the murder of Duncan that Macbeth will need to commit in order for the witches prophecy to come true. Macbeth explained to his wife that murdering the king is not something he was inclined to do. It is demonstrated through this quote that Macbeth (at one point or another) was actually good. He was motivated by the honor, the “golden opinions” he had received from all sorts of people and was committed to staying motivated by that same

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Although, a common rebuttal for this argument is that Macbeth was evil inherently, since he did such heinous things. As Macbeth embarks on his treacherous path, his ambition intensifies, further catalyzed by the manipulation and encouragement of his wife, Lady Macbeth. In Act I, Scene 7, Macbeth debates the consequences of regicide, acknowledging the gravity of his actions, saying, "We still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor" (Shakespeare 1.7.8-10). We also see that Lady Macbeth is the main reason for his decline, she even forms a plan for her

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From the very beginning of the play, Macbeth is presented as a brave and honorable soldier who has won the respect and admiration of his peers. However, when he receives the prophecy from the witches, his desire for power overrides his sense of morality, and he begins to consider the possibility of killing Duncan. In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth admits that he is "settled, and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat" (1.7.92-93), referring to his plan to kill the king. This quote shows that Macbeth has made a conscious decision to commit a heinous act, and he is willing to use all his resources to achieve

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Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely Macbeth

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“Absolute power corrupts absolutely”, this an excellent example of the drama by William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Macbeth. When we meet Macbeth at the beginning of the play, he is labeled as “brave Macbeth”, a man who is recognized for his honor, bravery and heroics on the battlefield, and kindness and love away from it, but these qualities fade as the play develops. The motor that drives the tragedy of Macbeth is ambition, throughout the whole play, ambition is what holds the most overwhelming power to influence the actions of others. The murder of King Duncan was influenced most by Macbeth’s ambition and hunger, at the cost of his morality.

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The reader is able to see this through Macbeth’s contemplation on whether or not he should kill Duncan, Lady Macbeth's lust for power and Macbeth’s final yet selfish decision. The overall comparisons are able to demonstrate the harmful physical and psychological effects of power throughout a community. As a result, the reader can learn from both Queen and Shakespeare that one's evil pleasure and desires can be a result of one's destruction all

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888 Words | 4 Pages

Their thoughts and actions are clearly influenced by this desire for power. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, both characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, harm other people for power which illustrates that power has the ability to corrupt. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a very compassionate and timid character. Macbeth is resistant to do anything morally wrong.

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760 Words | 4 Pages

Macbeth’s impatience for power leads to drastic actions. He murders the king in the belief that “this blow might be the be-all and end-all” (1.7.5). This assassination could never “trammel up the consequence” (1.7.2-3), as Macbeth believes, but only leads to more trouble. Although Macbeth seizes the throne, Macbeth had to betray his loyalty to the king whose “virtues will plead like angels” (1.7.18-19), and his morality has paid the price. Macbeth has now lost all sense of what honor is by using such dishonest ways to become king.

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A position of power is the ultimate indicator of success. Everyone seeks it, some more than others, and yet so few succeed in obtaining it. Those who do are often the most ruthless and evil of characters who are the least suitable for such a gift, but through their perseverance they obtain it nonetheless. Lady Macbeth is one such character. She may be unworthy but through her ruthless and adamant attitude she commits herself entirely to the sole purpose of possessing power.

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Through his actions, Macbeth soon becomes known as a tyrant. In William Shakespeare’s, Macbeth, Shakespeare demonstrates how people who obtain authority over others are susceptible to corruption through Macbeth’s immoral actions as King of Scotland

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/ It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to my eyes” (2.2.45-50). Macbeth is not satisfied with the thane of Cawdor. He ignores the kinship with Duncan, and desires the most powerful position, which is Duncan’s throne. His ambition is manipulated by his loyalty, which he is difficult to make a decision.

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